New York is not a tropical destination, but as any local can tell you: it gets really goddamn hot in the summer. While that’s not exactly in the forefront of visitors’ minds when they’re planning their next trip, it is reality.
When the sweltering months hit (see: now), there’s nothing better than finding a glorious oasis to relax, poolside. But all pools are not made alike. And in a city where time and resources are limited, it’s essential to choose wisely.
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Whether you’re visiting or just taking a personal day for some much needed R&R, here are our five favorites in the city and how to make the most of them.
Sixty LES
190 Allen St, New York, NY
Wifi: Yes, and you can pay more for a faster connection. (But you won’t need it.)
Non-hotel guests: Nope, hotel guests only unless you get your hands on one of the VIP cards for locals.
The Vibe: Formerly the Thompson Hotel, Sixty is located in the Lower East Side with a lot of great restaurants in walking distance. The pool is on the smaller side with limited sun (yes, it’s the one with Andy Warhol on the bottom), but the chairs are unusually comfy from all angles–helpful if you’re attempting to get work done. Pro tip: Get the seats in the furthest right corner from the entrance. You’ll get the sun the longest and be closest to the bar.
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The Menu: The service is great and so are the options. Signature cocktails will run you $ 16 a pop. Skip the chicken sandwich, get the burger–and don’t forget the shishito peppers.
Non-hotel guests: Day passes are $ 55 on weekdays and $ 65 on weekends, with daybeds starting at $ 150.
The Vibe: Where it lacks in proximity to the city, it thrives in every other aspect. Easily the biggest pool, it also gets lots of sun. Even if you don’t opt for a daybed, there is plenty of comfortable open seating to be found. Okay, it’s far, but the pool alone makes the Uber to and from the city totally worth it.
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The Menu: McCarren easily has the best poolside food, hands down. The heirloom tomato salad with jalapenos and feta is an absolute must. It’s light and extremely flavorful, and the staff was fun, friendly, and attentive. Signature drinks were only $ 14, and they were all delicious.
Non-hotel guests: On weekdays, non-guests can pay $ 40 to come to the pool and sit in the open seating (it’s another $ 40 to reserve a chair). On weekends it’s free for anyone, but be warned: first come, first serve.
The Vibe: La Piscine (French for “the pool”) is about the size of two jacuzzis, but doesn’t suffer from overcrowding and the indie playlist was fun and upbeat. There are only four reserved chairs, but plenty of open seating for guests. Located in the heart of Chelsea, the hotel itself is beautiful and only a few steps from The Highline and some of New York’s best art galleries.
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The Menu: The abbreviated poolside menu is all you need for a daytime dip. Go with the chicken club, not the tacos. (They aren’t bad, just really small!) Specialty drinks run around $ 17 each, and I recommend the Regalo Verde–jalapeno tequila? Por favor.
Non-hotel guests: Day passes are $ 50 per person, or you have options for a table anywhere from $ 75-125.
The Vibe: While the pool itself is small, the Lower East Side’s Mr. Purple is the best downtown option. There’s tons of seating, bars inside and out, and they’re far enough from the pool to not be intrusive. A reggae-heavy playlist helps you get away without having to get away.
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The Menu: Great food in solid portions. The kale and grilled shrimp salad makes a great light bite, and for something with a little more substance, get the fried chicken sandwich (with fries, duh) and make sure to ask for a side of hot sauce. Drinks will run you about $ 16 a piece; the Melon Baller is delicious, but if you’re feeling like getting started early, try the Barrel of Monkeys.
Non-hotel guests: Day passes are $ 65 and are available on weekdays. Private cabanas start at $ 1,500, if you’re feeling bougie.
The Vibe: Of all the pools in New York, “The Beach” boasts the most idyllic surroundings. Under an excess of palms and plants, it’s easy to forget you’re in a city where everything is literally on top of each other. True to its name, there is a literal beach: cabanas, sand, and plenty of seating inside and out to transport you to the tropics the moment you walk in.
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The Menu: Specialty drinks run around $ 16, if frosé is your thing. The poolside restaurant offers a full menu available with tasty salads and a ceviche plate that’s filling enough for one.
Non-hotel guests: Unless you are a hotel guest or the plug, spending the afternoon overlooking the best view in the city is going to be tough. But it’s worth the effort.
The Vibe: The view alone is jaw dropping, and makes the whole experience feel a little more important. Not only can you look down on green trees and a grassy walkway below, you see all of lower Manhattan’s skyline and even Lady Liberty herself. The hotel is positioned so the sun sets over the water between the city and the statue, also providing you with the most uninhibited sunshine time. The pool is small, but most pools in New York are small. With this backdrop, you won’t even notice.
The Menu: Somehow the wines outprice the speciality cocktails, which run $ 16 a pop. Opt for a pitcher of one of those over the sangria or a bottle. The lobster roll is a must have and the soft pretzels and French fries are the ideal snacks to keep poolside for an afternoon on the roof.
